The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-01-07

"What particular style OF dirt do
You intend to sweep of the earth p
| asked.
"Everything offensive and harm
full" he replied, in a most positive
voice. All corruption, oppression,
dishonesty in high places, aud lie.
graduation in all places. Yes, and
disease thar, too, must go. Aud
poverty also. Everything that is
hateful and makes the heart bitter
shall be swept away"
He seemed so serious and earnest
about it that | pitied him for his
delusion. "uow long will it take
you 10 finish such a contractT |
asked, feeling II great compassion
for his disordered mind with its
humanitarian instincts.
"Uh, SHALL make great changes
in a twelvem6nth,' he said couf-
IDENTIFY. "The old earth whl be an
other place altogether before lOng,
1t needs nothing bnt a good sweep
ing. and my broom will do tue
work aud do it we'll. Brush off the
dirt and IL new order OF things Will
inaugurate itself Immediately. Look
out tor universal honesty, good
times, safe banks, good wages, clean
minded stateSmen-but really /
must hurry Oh, | haye an appoint
ment, begin my sweeping in few
minutes"
"But you haven't told me your
name 7" | called out as he started
on, with Ills broom on his shoulder.
He looked back, Il broad grin on
his handsome young face, and an
swered, "Eighteen Eighty Seven"
Before | recovered from my as
constituent he added, 30, can
sweep; I'll show you," and he went
on in his vanity aud lgnorace. Poor,
foolish, inexperienced, happy New
Year.
Turning about, | started toward
home, aud in moment more l
heald the village bells "rIng out
the old" and string in the new"
| had not gone far when met
another traveller, u very different
figure from the velvet.Clad youth
with the confident air who had just
lett me. He was walking with a
tired step, aud was bent, as under
a burden. As he approached saw
that he was elderly, somewhat
broken down, careworn us to cOun
tenance, threadbdre as TO garments,
aud under one arm he carried Il
tremendous scroll, and in the other
hand the worst wreck Of a broom
had ever lald eyes on. II was i'm.
pressed" as the clairvoyants say,
with the belief that he was Eight
cen Eighty Six, and by that name
| accOsted him as conrteonsly as |
could, aud offered him my sympa-
thy.
"Sympathy I" said the old man,
till he shook. "Sympa-
thy9 Wei that is really laughable.
Thanks, my good friend, bat DOM
need it. YourcOngraiulations would
be better. Ii you have any sympa-
thy to throw around reckleSSly give |
it to my successor. | know the size
of the load he has to pick up. That |
is fine broom he carries, too. |
Mine was as good a year ago. Look
at it now Hardly a spear of it
remains, and With all its hard usage,
| fear l haven't left the earth much
cleaner. | found the contract too
much for me, though started in as
clipper as he does. | was chOck
full OF reform ideas; but. You see
how my efforts to clear up tue earth
have aged me, and how | have
scuffied my clothes, as well as my
sOdl. But Fm through with it now,
ind am going to disembody myself,
md look on at the other fellow
iwhile.' His eyes bad a humorous
and he certainly wore
ook OF happy relief.
ais it possible that your record
s so bulky r. | Iasked, pointing to
lis scroll.
"Bulkyi" said the old man With
! sarcastic grin. "1f yOu want to
Know the heft as well as the bulk
If it yOu should glance over it. Il
$ made up of deaths, riots, earth
luakes, broken banks, trusted OH
,ials going wrong, wrecks, runa-
Ways, blow ups, wars, rumors OF
vars, the overthrow of the Liberal
in England, crazy mon
Irchs, Doodle aldermen, new re-
'rnits for Sing Sing, contested wills,
lard times, strikes, suicides, sick
less, murders, burglaries, ihefts
md nearly every unpleasant thing
'ou could think OF. Think of the
represented iD this re
ord. The thought of them OPP
Dresses me-"
"But you have done some things
o felicitate yourself upon, haven't
'Ou r. / asked.
ayes, think l have,T he said.
boxing pleased. II set Up the
liberty statae Ia New York harbOr
inaugurated 4 new political party
i think I have-and / brought .
ig thought wave, which is making {
eople hunt mp their souls aud take
ONE care them, ss we'll as of their
0dies. | s0wed some seed that
Till not bring forth tbistles, mark !
le, aud then l am 80 thankful that
wasn't campaign year. {
SIT is little melancholy, though, {
, 20 away forever, isn't itP c